The Man From Michigan — Or Massachusetts?

By CBSNews.com Senior Political Editor Vaughn Ververs

The former governor of Massachusetts became the latest formal entrant into the 2008 presidential derby on Tuesday, kicking off his campaign in his native state of Michigan. For Romney, choosing an automotive museum in Dearborn as the setting for his announcement was a natural. The family name is well-ensconced in Michigan politics, thanks to his father, George Romney, a one-time automotive executive and three-term governor of the state. Michigan is expected to hold an important early slot in next year's primary campaign. Most importantly for Romney, it's not Massachusetts.

For more than three decades, the Bay State has served as a whipping post for the Republican Party. Home of the Kennedys, Michael Dukakis and John Kerry, "Taxachusetts," as it's been tagged by conservatives, has been held up as the liberal bogeyman in Republican campaigns and rhetoric. It's not a connection anyone seeking the GOP nomination wants to emphasize, and Romney has spent the better part of the past year distancing himself from that image.

So far, his efforts have met with some success. On issues ranging from abortion to gun control and gay marriage, Romney's views have shifted somewhat dramatically towards the right. His aggressive courting of conservative leaders has landed him some high-profile backing — from the likes of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Rep. Vin Weber. Whether the rank-and-file will respond is another matter.

As he has done for the past two years, Romney emphasized his conservative positions with gusto. "I believe in the sanctity of human life," he said before continuing to hit on the Republican hot-button issues of judicial activism and taxes. But it's on abortion where Romney has undergone the most dramatic change.

While running for the Senate against Ted Kennedy in 1994 and then for governor in 2002, Romney said abortions should be safe and legal. He now describes himself as "pro-life" and that the issue should be decided in the states rather than the courts — a conservative touchstone position. Romney has said his position changed as he examined the ethical issues surrounding stem cell research.

But that may not be enough for some conservatives. Paul Weyrich, chairman of the Free Congress Foundation, told CBSNews.com that activists see politics at work in Romney's change of heart. "At this point there's great skepticism about his deathbed conversion," Weyrich said. "The feeling is that he converted when he decided to run for president, not before, and before he was in the other camp."

GOP consultant Craig Shirley agrees that Romney has his work cut out for him in convincing social conservatives that he's genuine on the issues they care about. "I think it remains to be seen whether they're going to take him at his word," Shirley said, adding that social conservatives "feel they've been burned in the past."

Religion will also be a key part of Romney's campaign. Romney's campaign drew criticism from a Jewish group for choosing the Henry Ford Museum as the venue for his announcement. The National Jewish Democratic Council said it was "deeply troubled" by the choice, given Ford's history of anti-Semitism. The Romney campaign said it was chosen because of the "innovation" Ford represented.

But more important: In a campaign of firsts, Romney is attempting to become the first Mormon president. In his campaign thus far, and again in Tuesday's announcement, Romney has sought to emphasize common beliefs. "I believe in God, and I believe that every person in this great country, and every person on this grand planet, is a child of God," he declared. Romney has courted important figures in the Christian community. Last fall he met with a group of evangelical leaders, including the Rev. Jerry Falwell and Rev. Franklin Graham. Many of those in attendance, including Falwell, said afterward that Romney's religion would not be a factor for them in the election.

In trying to allay concerns that his religion might guide his decisions, Romney and his supporters are quick to point out that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, is also a Mormon and holds many positions different from his church. Still, the specifics of the Mormon faith are relatively unknown by a many voters, and how those beliefs and doctrines are defined in the course of the campaign will be important. Romney's aides have said they are considering a major speech on the topic but have not settled on that approach.

Despite those potential hurdles, Romney officially enters the race as a strong candidate because 2008 is quickly becoming a campaign much more about electability than ideological purity. While he is lesser-known nationally, poll after poll in key states show Romney competitive with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain among Republicans. All three have succeeded in gobbling up key party activists, campaign staff, supporters and fundraisers.

For a campaign that experts have estimated could cost upwards of $100 million just to be competitive, these three have established the networks to accomplish that. In just a one-day fund-raising drive last month, Romney took in about $7 million — and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Romney also has a life outside of politics to bolster his appeal to business leaders. In the early 1980s, he helped found the venture capital firm Bain Capital, which has grown to become a successful management consulting firm which he returned to before being elected governor. Also, organizers of the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City turned to Romney for help in turning the scandal-plagued preparations into a successful and profitable event.

None of the three GOP front-runners are darlings of the conservative movement that, in recent elections, has dominated the nominating process. Giuliani, despite his image as a strong and steady leader under fire, has a more liberal social record than Romney. McCain, despite a career filled with solid conservative votes in the Senate, is distrusted among many party activists because of his crusade on campaign finance issues and his perceived cozy relationship with the national media.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback are two candidates seeking to fill the conservative void. But unless and until an alternative emerges who can capture the hearts of the GOP faithful or compete financially, McCain, Giuliani and Romney will dominate the field. And a former governor who once saved the Winter Olympics can't be dismissed — even if he once was from Massachusetts.

CBSNews.com's David Miller contributed to this report.